Justin Tucker's Uncharacteristic Struggles Continue in 2024
For over a decade, Justin Tucker has been nearly synonymous with placekicking excellence in the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens' specialist, revered for his pinpoint accuracy, once boasted a career field goal success rate nearing an impressive 89.7%. Yet, as the 2024 season reaches its midway point, Tucker finds himself in unfamiliar territory, grappling with a significant statistical downturn.
This season, Tucker's field goal accuracy has plummeted to 79% by Week 11. A troubling figure, it ranks him seventh-worst among kickers who have attempted at least ten field goals. If there's anyone keeping tabs, it's a fall from grace for a player who is often counted on to deliver in high-pressure situations.
A Season of Near Misses
The woes have materialized on the scoreboard, with Tucker missing six field goals already—perilously close to his career-high of seven set in 2015. In a pivotal divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker endured perhaps his roughest outing this season. Despite making 15 of 19 attempts before the game, he missed two crucial field goals in the first quarter alone—a 42-yarder and a 50-yarder—adding to his challenging year.
This unfortunate double-miss marked the first occasion for Tucker, or any Ravens kicker, to miss two field goals in the opening quarter of a game. It underscores a rare vulnerability in a player whose consistency has been a cornerstone for the Ravens' strategy.
Mixed Success Across Distances
Despite his struggles, Tucker remains unfaltering in certain scenarios. From 20 to 39 yards, he stands perfect with a 9 of 9 record in 2024. However, his dependability wanes as the distance increases. He is 4 of 6 from 40 to 49 yards this season, illustrating a drop from his customary reliability. Most striking, however, is his performance on shots beyond 50 yards—historically his specialty. Tucker is at an uncharacteristic 2 of 6 this year and has made only 3 of 11 such attempts over the last two seasons.
Despite these fluctuations, Tucker's consistency shines through in his extra point attempts, successfully converting 37 out of 38 this season, a testament to his staying power in short-range scenarios.
The Road Ahead
The Ravens, holding a bye week after the Steelers game, have six games left in the season to recalibrate and refocus. For Tucker, it is an opportunity to rediscover his rhythm and restore his reputation as the league's most dependable kicker. As the Ravens look ahead, securing victories will undoubtedly require a return to form from their star kicker, ensuring that this slump is a mere footnote in an otherwise stellar career.
Indeed, all eyes will be on Tucker as the season progresses, with every field goal attempt scrutinized by fans and critics alike. For a kicker of his caliber, the expectation is not just about making kicks but redefining a narrative that has recently wavered. And if history is any guide, writing off Justin Tucker could be a perilous wager—one he's bound to refute with the season's ultimate tests still looming in the distance.